DA eyes importation to end rising onion prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday advised importing 22,000 metric tons of onions to end the continuous rise in prices in public markets.

"Tutuldukan na natin ito through importation... Hindi man magandang pakinggan, pero kailangan natin," DA deputy spokesperson Rex Estoperez said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

Estoperez added that the 22,000 metric tons must arrive before the peak harvest that will start in March.

"Dapat dumating ang mga aangkating sibuyas sa unang linggo ng Pebrero o huling linggo ng Enero para mapababa ang presyo ng sibuyas," he said.

Estoperez said the DA was trying to balance consumer demand with the welfare of producers.

"Sa Nueva Ecija may puti at pulang sibuyas na nasa 200 pesos per kilo pero mga reject o maliliit. Hindi talaga bumababa ang presyo sa farm gate price," he explained.

"Batay sa sitwasyon sa Nueva Ecija at Tarlac, may mga standing crops pa sila na magpi-peak ng February at March. Ang pangangailangan muna natin for the month, ang estimate namin ay mga 22,000 metric tons."

Based on the DA's recommendation, 25% of the imported onions would be brought to Mindanao, 25% to Visayas, and 50% to Luzon. Of that 50%, 10% will be white onions.

"Nung ginagawang P250 ang SRP ng pulang sibuyas, hindi pa rin bumababa ang presyo. Kahit nag-harvest doon, may highest bidder 'yung mga trader doon. Kapag P350 o P420 ang farm gate price ng sibuyas, mataas na talaga pagdating sa pamilihan," he said.

"Nagbigay tayo ng hanggang January 07, 2022 para sa P250 na SRP ng sibuyas... Kung hindi man, we have to recommend na mag-import tayo," he added.

Estoperez also admitted that DA lapses in the onion supply chain in the country. He added that interventions should be re-examined to ensure food security. — DVM, GMA Integrated News